The Best Vacation Packages to Hawaii in 2026 (From Someone Who Got Sunburned There)
Confession time: I have been to Hawaii, and I loved every single second of it. I also got a sunburn shaped like my own hand because I fell asleep on the beach like a rookie. So yes, I am qualified to write this. (You can read about the time I toured Oahu and giggled my way through a Buddhist temple later. It is a whole thing.)
Here is the deal. Hawaii is the trip. The one my kids still bring up. But planning it yourself can turn you into a person with 47 browser tabs open, muttering about resort fees at midnight. I do not want that life for you. That is exactly why a good vacation package is your best friend: someone bundles the flights, the hotel, and sometimes a rental car or tours into one price, usually for less than you would spend piecing it together on your own.
So I went ahead and did the annoying part for you. I compared more than 20 companies that sell Hawaii trips, from budget flight-and-hotel bundles to fancy guided tours, and ranked them by actual value, what is actually included, and who they are actually best for. My number one pick is Great Value Vacations, and I will explain exactly why in a second. Grab a coffee (or a Mai Tai, I do not judge). Let's go.
★ Amber's Top Pick: Best Overall Value
Great Value Vacations
Flights included, real hotels, and the ability to hit more than one island without booking six separate things at 2 a.m. It is the sweet spot of "someone else handled the hard part" and "I can still afford shave ice every day."
Island Hopping in Hawaii from ~$2,872/person (9 nights, 3 islands, airfare included) • See current Hawaii deals →
The Quick-Glance Comparison Table
In a hurry because someone needs a snack? Here is the whole ranking at a glance. Scroll down for the full scoop on each one.
| # | Company | Best For | Style | Airfare Included? | Starting From* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Great Value Vacations ★ | Best overall value + island-hopping | Independent + flights | ✔ Yes | $2,872 |
| 2 | Costco Travel | Costco members, hotel + car bundles | Independent | Optional | Quote |
| 3 | Pleasant Holidays | The original Hawaii specialists | Independent | ✔ Yes | Quote |
| 4 | Getaways by Southwest | Budget families (2 free bags!) | Independent | ✔ Yes | Varies |
| 5 | Hawaiian Airlines Vacations | Island-hopping made easy | Independent | ✔ Yes | Varies |
| 6 | Expedia (Flight + Hotel) | Total DIY control | Independent | ✔ Yes | Varies |
| 7 | Apple Vacations | Families + resort buyers | Independent | ✔ Yes | Varies |
| 8 | Delta Vacations | Delta/SkyMiles loyalists | Independent | ✔ Yes | Quote |
| 9 | United Vacations | Lots of gateways + trip types | Independent | ✔ Yes | Varies |
| 10 | American Airlines Vacations | AAdvantage members, big resort brands | Independent | ✔ Yes | Varies |
| 11 | Alaska Airlines Vacations | West Coast flyers, post-merger reach | Independent | ✔ Yes | Varies |
| 12 | Funjet Vacations | Bundled resort getaways | Independent | ✔ Yes | Varies |
| 13 | Vacations by Marriott | Bonvoy loyalists | Independent | ✔ Yes | Varies |
| 14 | AAA Travel | Full-service + member perks | Independent | ✔ Yes | Quote |
| 15 | Gate 1 Travel | Budget escorted tours | Escorted or independent | ✔ Optional | $6,159 |
| 16 | Globus | Classic guided multi-island tours | Escorted group | ✘ Land only | $6,400 |
| 17 | Tauck | Luxury guided tours | Escorted group | ✘ Land only | $11,990 |
| 18 | Hawaii Aloha Travel | Local, custom-built trips | Independent | ✔ Yes | Quote |
| 19 | Panda Travel | Local specialists, all-in bundles | Independent | ✔ Yes | Quote |
| 20 | Priceline (Trip Bundles) | Bargain hotel + bundle hunters | Independent | ✔ Yes | Varies |
*Starting-from prices are per person and change constantly with island, season, and hotel. "Quote" means you get a custom price by phone or online tool, and "Varies" means the price depends entirely on the flights and hotel you pick. "Land only" means airfare is NOT included, which matters a lot when a plane ticket to Hawaii is a big chunk of the cost. Remember to add resort fees and taxes to any teaser price.
The 20 Best Hawaii Vacation Packages, Ranked
Okay, the good part. Starting with my favorite and working down.
1. Great Value Vacations: Best Overall Value ★
Here is why it is my winner:
Island-hopping without the headache. Their Island Hopping in Hawaii trip is 9 nights across three islands (Big Island, Kauai, and Oahu), with your flights and the inter-island flights and three beachfront-ish hotels all booked for you. That is the trip everyone wants and nobody wants to plan.
Flights are included. Starting around $2,872 per person (based on two travelers from LAX), with round-trip airfare, two inter-island flights, and hotels like the Hilton Hawaiian Village on Waikiki. Try pricing that out yourself and then lie down.
You still get to be a grown-up about it. These are independent packages, so you are not stuck on a bus with 40 strangers. You explore on your own schedule, just without the planning migraine.
They have guided options too if you want them, like an Oahu and Kauai adventure package with tours built in (think Kualoa Ranch and a Waikiki sunset sail).
| Sample GVV Hawaii Package | Nights | Starting From* | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| ๐️ Island Hopping in Hawaii | 9+ | $2,872 | Big Island, Kauai & Oahu, airfare + inter-island flights |
| Hawaii Adventure: Oahu & Kauai | 7 | Call | Guided tours: Dole, Kualoa Ranch, sunset sail, Waimea Canyon |
| Add-on: Maui nights | 13-14 | Varies | Extend island-hopping with nights in Lahaina, Maui |
The honest part: Like almost every Hawaii package, the room rate does not include resort fees (usually around $56 to $65 per night, paid at the hotel), and the island-hopping trip does not include a rental car or meals. That is normal for Hawaii, not a GVV thing. Budget for it and you are golden.
๐งก Amber's verdict: Best value, and the easiest way to see more than one island without a spreadsheet. Flights included, real hotels, no bus required. Check current Hawaii packages →
Yes, the place where you buy 40 rolls of paper towels also books a great Hawaii trip. Costco's signature Hawaii package bundles a hotel with a rental car (the "free rental car" framing you have probably seen), often with a Costco Shop Card or resort credit thrown in and frequently no resort fee. Best for: members who want a solid mid-range bundle and predictable perks. Watch out for: you need a membership, prices come by quote, and Hawaii experts actually suggest buying your flights elsewhere since Costco cannot reprice airfare as fast as it moves.
3. Pleasant Holidays: The Original Hawaii Specialists
Pleasant Holidays basically invented the modern Hawaii package back in the 1960s, and that experience still shows. They bundle flights, hotels, and cars with serious neighbor-island know-how, and they are owned by AAA of Southern California. Best for: families and repeat Hawaii travelers who like booking through a real specialist. Watch out for: their old price advantage has faded, so they are not automatically the cheapest anymore. Compare before you commit.
4. Getaways by Southwest: Best Budget Pick for Families
Southwest relaunched its vacations arm as "Getaways by Southwest," and for families it is a strong budget play, mostly because of those two free checked bags per person and no change fees. When you are hauling car seats, boogie boards, and a suitcase of snacks, that adds up fast. They fly four islands and even run discounted inter-island hops. Best for: budget-minded families and Rapid Rewards collectors. Watch out for: thinner luxury and resort selection than the old-guard specialists. (Speaking of Southwest, I have flown them to Disneyland and lived to tell the tale.)
5. Hawaiian Airlines Vacations: Best for Island-Hopping
6. Expedia (Flight + Hotel): Best for Total DIY Control
If you are the type who wants to pick the exact flight and the exact hotel, Expedia's Flight + Hotel tool bundles the two (airfare included) and often knocks off a discount for booking them together, plus One Key rewards. Best for: confident, budget-savvy travelers and repeat visitors. Watch out for: it is pure self-service, so there is no human to call when a flight gets canceled, and those "up to 100% off your flight" banners are marketing, not free plane tickets.
7. Apple Vacations: Best for Resort-Style Family Trips
Apple Vacations bundles flights and hotels from a ton of North American gateways, and they lean into family-friendly resorts and "kids stay free" style deals, all the way up to Ritz-Carlton and Disney's Aulani. Best for: families and couples who want a one-and-done resort booking. Watch out for: Hawaii is not their main specialty (they do a lot of Mexico and the Caribbean), so island depth is thinner than a true Hawaii specialist.
8. Delta Vacations: Best for Delta Loyalists
9. United Vacations: Best for Trip-Type Variety
10. American Airlines Vacations: Best for Big-Brand Resorts
American Airlines Vacations is a simple "book it together, save a little" bundle, and its strength is prominent Marriott and Hilton partnerships for reliable hotel quality, plus AAdvantage miles. Best for: AAdvantage members who want a recognizable resort brand. Watch out for: it treats Hawaii as one of many destinations, with fewer gateways and no inter-island flights, so it is the weakest of the airlines for multi-island trips.
11. Alaska Airlines Vacations: Best for West Coast Flyers
For anyone on the West Coast, Alaska Airlines Vacations is worth a look, and it got a lot more interesting after the Hawaiian merger: its packages can now book flights on Alaska or Hawaiian, which quietly gives it Hawaiian's deep inter-island network. Best for: Mileage Plan and Atmos Rewards fans flying from the West Coast. Watch out for: the vacations product is still maturing and is less polished than the legacy specialists.
12. Funjet Vacations: Best for Bundled Resort Getaways
Funjet is a longtime flight-and-hotel bundler (a sibling of Apple Vacations under the same parent company) that leans a little more upscale for Hawaii, with "stay 4, get the 5th night" style offers. Best for: couples and families who want a bundled resort stay and like booking through a travel agent. Watch out for: like Apple, it is a generalist, so Hawaii is not its core focus.
13. Vacations by Marriott: Best for Bonvoy Loyalists
If you collect Marriott Bonvoy points like they are Pokemon, Vacations by Marriott bundles airfare with a Marriott-brand hotel (Ritz, Sheraton, Westin, and friends), saves up to about 20%, and earns you points. Best for: Bonvoy loyalists who want one consistent hotel brand. Watch out for: you are locked into Marriott properties only, and it is a booking engine rather than a Hawaii specialist.
14. AAA Travel: Best Full-Service Experience
AAA's Hawaii packages are mostly fulfilled through Pleasant Holidays, so you get that deep Hawaii expertise plus AAA member perks (booking credits, a best-price guarantee, and 24/7 support). Best for: travelers who want a real person handling everything and the safety net of member support. Watch out for: you need a AAA membership, and the agent-assisted model can cost a bit more than pure DIY.
15. Gate 1 Travel: Best Budget Guided Tour
Gate 1's whole thing is "more of the world for less," and it is the guided-tour operator that most cleanly sells a true airfare-included price. Their 12-day Classic Hawaii runs about $6,159 with air from LA and bundles inter-island flights, most sightseeing, and many meals across four islands. Best for: travelers who want a structured multi-island tour without a luxury price. Watch out for: it is more no-frills, with mid-tier hotels and a group schedule.
16. Globus: Best Classic Guided Multi-Island Tour
Globus runs polished, fully guided motorcoach tours across all four main islands, with a tour director, transfers, and inter-island flights handled for you. Their flagship Grand Hawaii tour runs roughly $6,400 and up per person, land only. Best for: first-timers and travelers (often 50-plus) who want zero decisions and a guide every day. Watch out for: the price is land only, so add your mainland airfare, and you are on a fixed group schedule.
17. Tauck: Best Luxury Guided Tour
When you want to splurge and never think about logistics again, Tauck delivers a high-end, near-all-inclusive guided tour with marquee beachfront resorts, most meals, gratuities, and exclusive access (think a private Iolani Palace visit). "The Best of Hawaii" starts around $11,990 per person. Best for: travelers who want luxury and everything handled. Watch out for: the price, and it is land only, so mainland flights are extra.
18. Hawaii Aloha Travel: Best Local, Custom Trip
Hawaii Aloha Travel is a Honolulu-based agency that builds custom independent trips with real on-island knowledge, low deposits, and a no-pressure vibe. Best for: families and honeymooners who want a locally built, flexible multi-island trip instead of a rigid package. Watch out for: they arrange the pieces, but you travel independently between them (no tour director holding your hand).
19. Panda Travel: Best Local All-in-One Bundle
Panda Travel is another Honolulu-based local specialist (35-plus years) whose standard package explicitly includes airfare, hotel, and a rental car, often with extras like free breakfast or bonus nights. Best for: first-timers who want a genuinely all-in independent package built by locals. Watch out for: like Hawaii Aloha, it is independent travel, not a guided group tour.
20. Priceline (Trip Bundles): Best for Bargain Hunters
A Few More (Including One to Approach With Caution)
| Company | In a Nutshell |
|---|---|
| Cosmos | Globus's budget sibling: guided four-island tours for less, land only. |
| Travelocity | Runs on the same system as Expedia, so pricing is nearly identical. |
| GoWaikiki / Blue Sky Tours | A true Hawaii specialist wholesaler, usually booked through a travel advisor. |
| Atlas Cruises & Tours | A reseller of other operators' tours, sometimes with a discount or perks. |
| BookVIP ⚠️ | Deeply discounted stays, but they are land only and usually require sitting through a 90-minute timeshare pitch. Read every word first. |
Usually, yes, especially once you count airfare and the hops between islands. Here is the reality check: a family of four should budget somewhere around $9,000 to $14,000 for a week to ten days in Hawaii once you add flights, hotel, a rental car, food, resort fees, and a couple of activities. When flights and inter-island hops are a big slice of that, a package that bundles them in (like the Great Value Vacations island-hopping trip at about $2,872 per person with air) often beats piecing it out yourself, and it definitely beats the 47 browser tabs.
The column to always check before you book is "airfare included?" A guided tour price that looks similar to a package can actually be land only (Globus and Tauck, for example), which means you still have to add a pricey flight to Hawaii on top. That is the single biggest reason Great Value Vacations sits at the top of my list: the price you see already gets you there.
Travel in shoulder season (April to May, September to October, or early December) for the lowest airfare and hotel rates and the smallest crowds. Christmas and summer are the priciest.
Always compare "with airfare" versus "land only." A cheaper sticker price often is not cheaper once you add a flight to Hawaii.
Add resort fees, parking, and taxes to any teaser price before you get excited. They are not optional.
Pick your island (or islands) first. Oahu is the most affordable and easiest for first-timers, Maui is the upscale honeymoon and whale-watching favorite, Kauai is lush and outdoorsy, and the Big Island has the volcanoes.
Book your big attractions early. Several now require reservations for out-of-state visitors, including Hanauma Bay, Diamond Head, and Haleakala sunrise. More on that below.
Pack mineral (reef-safe) sunscreen. Hawaii bans the sale of sunscreens with oxybenzone and octinoxate, and Maui is stricter still.
Consider travel insurance, especially on land-only tours where you booked flights separately.
Fly nonstop if you can with little kids. Trust me on this one. (I have written entire posts about people who annoy me on airplanes.)
Book early to lock in 2026 pricing, ideally with a low deposit, so you can pay the balance later.
What is the cheapest way to visit Hawaii?
A flight-and-hotel package with airfare included (like Great Value Vacations or Getaways by Southwest), booked in shoulder season, and often on Oahu, which is the most affordable island. Bundling almost always beats booking every piece separately.
Are there all-inclusive resorts in Hawaii?
Not really, at least not like Mexico or the Caribbean. A few resorts (such as Disney's Aulani) offer meal plans or credits, but in Hawaii an "all-inclusive package" almost always means flight plus hotel plus rental car, not unlimited food and drinks.
Which island is best for a first family trip?
Oahu. It is the most affordable, has the most flights, and packs a lot in (Waikiki, Pearl Harbor, snorkeling, and a real town when you need a Target run). Maui and Kauai are stunning too, just pricier and quieter.
How many days do I need?
Five to seven nights is great for one island. If you want to island-hop, nine or more nights keeps it from feeling like a mad dash, since you lose a half-day each time you change islands.
Whatever you pick, the smart moves are the same: choose your island first, always compare the price with airfare instead of land only, add the resort fees before you judge a deal, and book early to lock in the best 2026 rates. If you want the easiest starting point, Great Value Vacations bundles the flights, the hotels, and the island hops so you can spend your energy on the important stuff, like deciding between shave ice flavors.
More travel (and travel chaos) from the blog:
๐ด My Majestic Tour Around Oahu (the time I giggled through a temple)
✈️ 5 Ways to Annoy Me on an Airplane
๐ข The Voyage to Disneyland on Southwest Airlines
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